William J. Molineux (bef. 1817 - bef. 1880)

Born before 17 Sep 1817 in Manchester, Lancashire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Ann (Wever) Molineux — married 2 Jan 1838 in Manchester, Lancashire, England

Descendants

Died before 1880 at about age 62 in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, USA

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Sheila McCarthy [send private message], Geoffrey Crofton [send private message], and John Lake [send private message]

Biography

Book: The Admission Register of the Manchester School: With some notices of the more distinguished scholars. Ed. by Jeremiah Finch Smith, Volume 3 (FROM MAY A.D. 1807 to SEPTEMBER A.D. 1837), Part 2, Printed for the Chetham Society M.DCCC.LXXIV.

" MANCHESTER SCHOOL REGISTER PAGE 219

William, son of John Molineux, lamp manufacturer, Manchester (11). " William was 11 years old in 1828

Source: The Admission Register of the Manchester School: With some notices of the more distinguished scholars, Volume 3, Part 2 from books.google.ca

Summary: Son of John Molineux, William Molineux arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in late 1848. He was a tinsmith & remittance man (an emigrant supported or assisted by payments of money from home).

"William Molineux, tinman, Mill St." was a listing in the 1856 Brown & Dallison's History & Directory of Nevada County, CA. The next directory was published in 1867 by a man named Bean. He did not have an entry for Molineux.

William was involved in 3 lawsuits while here. The first, dated 1857 stemmed from an unpaid loan that was left in New Orleans when he left there. The second was for an unpaid loan from here, also in 1857. The third was a partnership fight with Thomas Lloyd in 1858.

Source: says William Molineux (Jr)'s father was William Molineux Sr. from www.rootsweb.ancestry.com

William Molineux's marriage license to Mary Ann Wever/Weaver says:

1838. Marriage solemnized in the Collegiate Parish Church in the Parish of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster

No. 422 January 2nd, 1838 William Moineux ("of age", "bachelor", "tin plate worker", 56 Bridge Street) and Mary ann Wever ("minor", "spinster", 38 King Street, Salford)

Father of William Molineux: John Molineux ("tin plate worker")

Father of Mary ann Wever: John Wever ("mechanic")

Married in the Collegiate Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after Banns by me, (signature)

... in the presence of us, (two signatures) Mark X* of Hannah Wever and Emily Weaver

* X means that she couldn't write/sign her name

Complete notes for William Molineux by Fantan Fraser:

He arrived in New Orleans from England, probably in the latter half of 1848 (daughter "Fanny" Mary Frances was born 9 January 1849, and her mother, Mary Ann Wever/Weaver, was pregnant when they left England).

He was listed in the New Orleans directory at three different addresses between 1850 and 1853, one being at 214 Julia Street (near Canal Street). (1850 Census Orleans County, Louisiana 58080 Plate 6).

Fantan Fraser wrote: when William Molineux died “at a good age, predeceased by his only son…and three daughters successfully married”

His grandson John I. M. English wrote [The World and I]: "My grandfather, a younger son ... was not penniless as were most of the migrants at that time. But the gathering clouds of an economic depression soon to spark the outbreaks of violence in Europe had darkened his prospects in his native land. Coming from Manchester, the centre of the British Cotton Trade, hearing there of the expanding opportunities in New Orleans, living in a stratified class-bound society with rigid social and cultural customs, faced at home with gloomy prospects ... , he made his decision and arrived in New Orleans with his family in 1848. His father in Manchester was an iron "monger". In keeping, William set himself up as a dealer in hardware and kindred lines. The decade that followed Grandfather's [William's] arrival in the cosmopolitan city was plagued with recurrent outbreaks of cholera and yellow fever frequently reaching some proportions as to bring to a halt all business activity during the long humid summer months causing a staggering death toll that spread a pall of gloom over the city. Thousands, particularly among the newcomers unknown and uncared for, died, to be buried unceremoniously in a common grave. Disease can be as tragic as war, as fatal as famine. Grandfather [William] had employed a young Irishman, William McLoughlin, who had lived through the soul-searching days of the potato famine in his benighted native land. A devout Catholic, thirty, personable and a clever person, he had proven an invaluable assistant. When later he fell a victim of "yellow fever", during a violent epidemic, Grandmother (Mary Ann nee Weaver) took him into her home, cared for him and nursed him through a long, slow convalescence. Grateful for the care and attention he had received, he remained a friend of the family throughout his life and was particularly fond of Mother ("Fanny" Mary Frances Molineux), who as a little girl three or four years old, had played about the home during his slow recovery to help him while-away hours of enforced idleness.

Appalled by the unsanitary conditions of the crowded cosmopolitan city, surrounded by death and disease in the stifling heat of the summers, Grandfather [William] and his young assistant, lured by the flowing tales of opportunity in the hardware trade in the mine fields of California, decided to venture again to a far away place in search of a better life. So it was that the year 1855 found them in business in Grass Valley, a small town inland north and east from Sacramento on the road to the gold fields and silver mines. Fortune had favoured them. They had escaped from the tragedies of the Civil War that enmeshed New Orleans a few years later... In Grass Valley, Grandfather [William] shared in small measure in the rapid growth and prosperity of California, but steeped in the traditions of the British gentry accustomed to live well, he was neither thrifty, nor readily adjustable to the energetic, aggressive and acquisitive society in which he found himself. And when he died years later at a good age predeceased by his only son, he left few, if any tangible assets, and three daughters successfully married, and possessed of a culture and education fitted to maintain a good social standing."

Letter from Joyce Michelmore (Frankie (Doyle) Perram's granddaughter-in-law) to Fantan Fraser regarding William Molineux and family:

Oct 28, 1986

Dear Fantan,

I haven't got too much information on the Molyneux, but what I have you are certainly welcome to.

The first mention of any Molyneux that I found was in the 1850 census, Orleans Co. Louisiana (58080 pt. 6). His occupation was listed as tinsmiht and the name was spelled with a 'y'. But, these are handwritten records and the census taker would spell the name however he felt. Other places I found the name spelt with an 'i'.

Next, I went with my mother to the historical society in Grass Valley. My parents live about 15 miles from there so it was very convenient. The society is located in an old lawyer's office across from the courthouse and most of the documents they ave there are his records of court cases. Fortunately, the society has indexed all they have and we were able to find the Molineux files.

These papers were the original notes of the court recorder and were all handwritten. Since they were so old (1857 & 1868) there was no question of our being allowed to remove and copy them. They were in fairly good condition but rather cracked and faded. Some of the pages were held together with ribbons and others with straight pins.

The first case was of William J - son of defendant Wm. Molyneux vs. Lydia Anderson dated 8-10-1857. Apparently she was their landlord and loaned William $100.00 to move to California. He left as security a Chinese shawl valued at $75.00 and a gold watch valued at $50.00. William never paid her back, but since she had the shawl and watch as security, she lost the case. There were two witnesses to the case from New Orleans named Amelia Cook and Alice Rice. The only really interesting fact from the case is that William J. Molyneux (the son) said that the family left for California "I think" on May 22, 1854. He (Wm J) left New Orleans in September 1855.

The other case was a complete mess and very difficult to understand. William lived in a certain house in Grass Valley -- Main St. Between Sylvester and __ Marrey. The family started a tin & copper smithing - hardware business. He had a stock of stores (Linn?) ware and hardware. The property was sold to John Bronzini for $500.00 on Oct 13, 1857. Another man, Thomas Lloyd was apparently an investor in either or both Molyneux's and Bronzini's business. Anyway, each of them thought the others were cheating and wanted damages. After a lot of confusing and seemingly pointless testimony, the judge decided that it was impossible to figure out who did what to whom and ordered the three to pay the court costs, sell everything and divide what was left. He (the judge) practically threw the case out of court. So, I guess you could call it a victory for William, but only just.

In these papers, the name was spelt many different ways but William had singed his name Molineux. That was thrilling for us since it was his actual signature. I'm still not sure I have the facts straight because the material involved was terribly difficult to read and a lot of it seemed to make no sense at all.

After I finished looking at the court documents, I went to the courthouse to look up any county records for the years between 1850-1870, but, unfortunately, a fire had destroyed all the county records around the turn of the century. So, we were lucky to find what we did.

I don't know anything about the convent in Marysville. If I'm ever in the area I will look into it though. Also I'm enclosing a copy of what I found in the Louisiana census.

I hope this helps you and don't hesitate to write if you have any questions. I would be interested in Thomas Martin's will. I have nothing on any Martins.

I must close now since Kimberly just woke up from her nap and wants to get up. Sh's 14 months old now and very active. She can climb on anything. Dave is doing well with the restaurant and we are all busy so I don't have much time to work on the genealogy. I wish I did.

Love,

Joyce

The following is an excerpt from a letter written by Granny Doyle (Frances Manuelita (English) Doyle (1882 - 1968)) to Shirley and Tony Perram in March 1959:

"Frankie has the Christening robe and is going to send it to you and I will send what I know is its history. It is over 150 or more years old and getting quite worn in spots. It was made for a great aunt of my mother's, and a niece of the Earl of Sefton, of Sefton Park, England, the uncle of my grandfather who was William Molyneux, born in Manchester about 1814 -- I think I have it right. I will enclose later a clipping of the names of those who have been christened in it since we have had it. It was sent to my mother in 1909 and Marshall was the first of this family to use it, and since then I have kept all the records of each one of the grandchildren and greats. I borrowed the book "Molyneux Genealogy" from my brother John who mother willed it to and reading up, so many things I have forgotten. They were really a most distinguished family, and related to most of the old families in England. It is really quite amazing, but of course never will be of any use to this family as we come on the distaff side. There should have been money at one time for my grandfather but the estate was put in chancery in Ireland and as far as we know is still there and there will stay. The start of the fmaily, tradition has -- Robert Molyneux in 1037 was the son of a Spanish priest and a French nun of noble family who left the cloister, going to Moulin where Robert was born and give the name of de Moulin after his birth, they were married, then she returned to the cloister and tradition has it that they were Heloise and Abelarde -- so perhaps you will want to divorce Tony after this scandal in the family."

The following was sent by Granny Doyle (Frances Manuelita (English) Doyle (1882 - 1968)) to Shirley and Tony Perram in April 1959 when Heather was christened in the robe:

"Christening robe, belonging to the Molyneux family, sent to Mary Frances Molyneux English in 1909 by her cousin Marie Molyneux Coubough who was a sister of General Edward Lesley Molyneux of New York and also of Helen Sheller of San Francisco. It was made for a great aunt of my mothers who was a sister or niece of the Earl of Sefton of Sefton Park England -- and uncle of my grandfather, who was William Molyneaux or Molyneux (both spellings were used by the family, the English branch shortened to Molyneux) born in Manchester about 1814. The first record was Robert born in France and went to England and joined King William's army in 1066, and afterwards knighted by him for his splendid assistance in the battles of that date given the title of Earl of Sefton plus numerous properties in England and Ireland. Jane says I am wrong here, the title was given much later. I will check later in the book. The robe I figure is 200 years old -- was worn by the Coubough children two boys -- and later sent to my mother as she had a large family. At my mother's death, it was left to me as custodian and to be lent to any member of the family who wanted it. The following are the ones christened since I have had possession:

Grandchilidren of my mother:

• Marshall Martin Doyle
• Anthony Donald Doyle
• Richard Coyne Doyle
• Margaret Chisholm Fraser
• Marshall Chisholm Fraser -- deceased
• Frances Chisholm Fraser
• John Morely English
• Frances Virginia English
• Blake English
• Richard English
• Mary Shelagh Doyle
• Margaret Jane Doyle
• Diane Dickson
• Denise Dickson --> UNKNOWN TO SHEILA MCCARTHY

Great grandchildren:

• Anthony Richard Perram
• Robert Norman Perram -- deceased
• (Patsy used the Perram robe in Montreal)
• Anthony Alyward Churchill
• Simon Fraser Churchill
• (the other Churchills were christened in the Orient and Margie didn't want to risk sending it so far)
• Arthur Michael Doyle
• Peter Marshall Doyle
• Anthony Francis Doyle
• Janet de Guerin Doyle
• John Michelmore
• Richard Michelmore
• David Michelmore
• Glenn Michelmore
• Michael de Forrest Griffen son of Constance Harper and grandson of Connie and Harry Doyle

Family legend holds that William Molineux (1818- 1880), who relocated to New Orleans in late 1848, was a cousin of the Earl of Sefton. This link has not yet been proven.

Background information from Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 105th Edition (London, 1978) summarizes that:

1771 to 1795 --- 1st Earl of Sefton Charles William Molyneux (1748-1795). Charles was the only son of Thomas Joseph Molyneux (1689-1756) whose younger brother Robert Molyneux (m. 1746) may have had sons. It is possible that our William Molineux descends from this brother Robert, but as a distant cousin (2nd, 3rd or even 4th). If this link is established then the line is proven to the 1100s and forward 28 generations to 1972 when the 7th Earl of Sefton died without issue leaving the title extinct.

1795 to 1838 --- 2nd Earl of Sefton William Philip Molyneux (1772-1838). William was the only child of Charles William Molyneux, who was an only son, so there would be no first cousins with the surname Molyneux.

1838 to 1855 --- 3rd Earl of Sefton Charles William Molyneux (1796-1855). Charles was the eldest son of William Philip Molyneux, who was an only child so there would be no first cousins.

Summary of Peerage creation:

• 22 May 1611: Baronet Monarch James I
• 22 Dec. 1628: Viscount
• 30 Nov. 1771: Earl
• 20 June 1831: Baron of the United Kingdom
• 13 April 1972: Extinct

Croxteth Hall, the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton, is now a magnificent park owned by the City of Liverpool - one mile NE of Derby Chapel. It was once a great country estate stretching hundreds of square miles. The family also had the Abbeyfield Estate, near Lancaster, which was purchased in 1982 by the Duke of Westminster, following the death (1972) of the last (7th) Earl of Sefton Sir Hugh William Osbert Molyneux.

The Sefton Coat of Arms (Molyneux, Earl of Sefton) consist of:

• Blazon: azure, a cross moline or.
• Crest: a chapeau gules turned up ermine adorned with a plume of peacock's feet.
• Supporters: two lions, az.
• Motto: Vivere sat vincere.

There is a ship named "Earl of Sefton"; and the horse races Earl of Sefton Stakes are held annually.

The earliest use of the surname Molyneux, of which there are over fifty spellings, seems to be "de Moulin" or "de Molins".

"Molines" - The Baronial family of De Molinex who became eminent under Edward III are slated in the Baronages to have derived their surname from the town so called in the Boubonnois, but there may have been an earlier settlement from one of the numerous places in Normandy called "Moulinex" or "moulins" from the molendina or watermills there existing.

"Molineux" - this family came from Molineux-sur-Seine, not far from Rouen celebrated for the ruins of an ancient fortress popularly called the Castle of Robert Ie Diable, which was destroyed by John Sans-Terre, but rebuilt in 1378.

Children of William Molineux and Mary Weaver are:

1. William Joseph Molineux, born Bef. January 01, 1839 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. William Joseph Molineux enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War but was not engaged in active battle. He died before his father.
2. Emily Molineux, born Abt. 1841 in England.
3. Ann Molineux, born Abt. 1843 in England.
4. "Fanny" Mary Frances Molineux, born January 09, 1849 in New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana, USA; died December 13,1934 in New Westminster, British Columbia; married Marshall Martin English May 26, 1868 in Aurora, Esmerelda County, Nevada, USA.
5. Helen Molineux, born 1850 in New Orleans, Orleans County, Louisiana, USA.
6. "Maggie" Margaret E Molineux, born 1857 in California, USA

Records

Record of birth:

• Name William Molineux
• Gender Male
• Christening Date 17 Sep 1817
• Christening Place Manchester, Lancashire, England
• Father's Name John Molineux
• Mother's Name Sarah Molineux

Record of baptism:

• Name William Molineux
• Gender Male
• Christening Date 17 Sep 1817
• Christening Place CATHEDRAL, MANCHESTER, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND
• Father's Name John Molineux
• Mother's Name Sarah

Record of marriage:

• Name William Molineux
• Spouse's Name Mary Ann Wever
• Event Date 02 Jan 1838
• Event Place Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England

Record of marriage:

• First name(s) William
• Last name Molineux
• Name note -
• Marriage year 1838
• Marriage date 02 Jan 1838
• Marriage place Manchester
• Spouse's first name(s) Mary Ann
• Spouse's last name Wever
• County Lancashire
• Country England
• Record set England Marriages 1538-1973
• Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
• Subcategory Marriages & divorces
• Collections from Great Britain

California Great Registers 1875:

• First name(s) William
• Last name Molineaux
• Age 58
• Birth year 1817
• Birth place England
• Registration year 1875
• Registration date 1875
• Place 106 1 2 Third
• County San Francisco
• State California
• Country United States
• Page -
• Record set California Great Registers 1866-1910
• Category Census, land & surveys
• Subcategory Census
• Collections from United States

Immigration

Travel from England to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA:

• Name William Molineux
• Event Type Immigration
• Event Date 1847
• Event Place New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States
• Gender Male
• Age 30
• Birth Year (Estimated) 1817
• Birthplace Manchester
• Ship Name Thames

Census

Sources

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NVWX-YSM : accessed 20 March 2016), William Molineux, 17 Sep 1817; citing Manchester, Lancashire, England, reference p270 no 2155; FHL microfilm 438,167.

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JQ5P-7BC : accessed 20 March 2016), William Molineux, 17 Sep 1817; citing CATHEDRAL, MANCHESTER, LANCASHIRE, ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 443,329, 438,168.

• The Admission Register of the Manchester School: With some notices of the more distinguished scholars, Volume 3, Part 2 from books.google.ca

• Records from Nevada County Historical Society's Searls Library (accessed 9/7-9/2015)

• "England Marriages, 1538–1973 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NJR2-1JM : accessed 14 October 2015), William Molineux and Mary Ann Wever, 02 Jan 1838; citing Cathedral,Manchester,Lancashire,England, reference ; FHL microfilm 438,198, 438,199, 438,200, 438,201, 438,202.

• Record of marriage from findmypast.co.uk

• "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQG3-WB7 : accessed 26 October 2015), Emily Molineux in household of William Molineux, Manchester, Lancashire, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

• 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census from findmypast.co.uk

• "Louisiana, New Orleans Passenger Lists, 1820-1945," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKNP-SNR5 : accessed 22 February 2016), William Molineux, 1847; citing Immigration, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana, United States, Ship Thames, NARA microfilm publication M259 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 200,157.

• 1850 US Census from findmypast.co.uk

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCJH-46B : accessed 14 October 2015), Helen Molineux in household of William Molineux, Orleans parish, part of, Orleans, Louisiana, United States; citing family 1775, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• 1870 US Census from findmypast.co.uk

• California Great Registers 1875 from findmypast.co.uk

• Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/biographies2/bios2/edwards-emily-j.txt